A human wall—formed by Muslims—blocked Christians from attending a Christmas service in West Java Province, Indonesia on December 14, according to local reports. The incident raises fresh concerns about religious freedom in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
Religious Tensions Flare as Christmas Service is Blocked
The confrontation highlights growing intolerance towards minority Christian communities in parts of Indonesia.
- Muslims from outside Jayasampurna village prevented members of the Huria Kristen Batak Protestant Church (HKBP) from reaching their prayer post.
- Police were present during the December 14th incident but did not intervene to break up the human blockade.
- Following mediation, the HKBP congregation will temporarily hold services at the Interfaith Harmony Forum office in Jababeka.
- The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs brokered an agreement for forgiveness and a review of building permits.
The congregation of the Huria Kristen Batak Protestant Church (HKBP) was attempting to celebrate Christmas at a prayer post near the Green Cikarang housing complex in Serang Baru Sub-District, Bekasi Regency, near Jakarta, when they were confronted. Videos circulating on social media show dozens of police officers observing as dozens of Muslim men and women linked arms, chanting “Allahu Akbar [God is Greatest]” and physically preventing church members from passing.
Q: What happened at the Christmas service in West Java?
A: A group of Muslims formed a human barrier, blocking Christians from attending a Christmas service and making anti-Christian remarks, while police looked on.
“We only want to worship peacefully – we have no intention of disturbing anyone,” a Christian worshipper is heard saying in one of the videos. Protestors displayed a banner stating, “We, the Muslim residents of Jayasempurna village, firmly reject the construction of illegal houses in our neighborhood forever.”
This wasn’t an isolated event. Muslims from outside the area had previously blocked worship services on December 7 and November 30, harianterbit.com reported. Local authorities initiated a mediation meeting on December 15, overseen by the Regent of Bekasi, resulting in a temporary agreement for the HKBP congregation to hold services at the Interfaith Harmony Forum office in the city of Jababeka.
Further intervention came on December 18 when the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs convened a meeting, yielding eight agreements, as reported by the official Indonesian news agency Antara. Both parties agreed to mutual forgiveness and a commitment to resolving permit processes for the prayer post. The Ministry of Religion also pledged support for the church to celebrate Christmas.
The incident sparked outrage on Indonesian social media, with many lamenting the repeated violations of religious freedom. Rights activist Permadiarya2 wrote, “Kang [meaning brother, referring to West Java Gov. Dedi Mulyadi) Dedi, don’t just stay silent, Bro.” The activist continued, “This kind of intolerance happens too often in your province, Bro. Year 2025 was the worst year in the history of interfaith tolerance in Indonesia…Please, policymakers, don’t turn a blind eye to this persecution of Christians…They are not second-class citizens, Sir. They have the same right to worship, and the state is obliged to protect and defend them.”
According to Open Doors, Indonesian society has become increasingly conservative in recent years, placing churches engaged in evangelistic outreach at heightened risk of targeting by Islamic extremist groups.
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